He faced toward the file of men. Four of them had been told to fall in under arms, and at his order they raised their carbines and fired a volley into the air. After that, the trench was filled in. Jager then cleared his throat and began to give orders concerning horses, saddles and what possessions had been spared by the fire. Lanark walked aside, and found Enid Mandifer keeping pace with him. "You are going back to your army?" she asked. "Yes, at once. I was sent here to see if I could find and damage Quantrill's band. I found him, and gave at least as good as I got." "Thank you," she said, "for everything you've done for me." He smiled deprecatingly, and it hurt his bullet-burnt cheek. "I did nothing," he protested, and both of them realized that it was the truth. "All that has happened--it just happened." He drew his eyes into narrow gashes, as if brooding over the past twelve hours. "I'm halfway inclined to believe what your stepfather said about a supernatural influence here. But what about you, Miss Mandifer?" She tried to smile in turn, not very successfully. "I can go back to my home. I'll be alone there." "Alone?" "I have a few servants." "You'll be safe?" "As safe as anywhere." He clasped his hands behind him. "I don't know how to say it, but I have begun to feel responsible for you. I want to know that all will be well." "Thank you," she said a second time. "You owe me nothing." "Perhaps not. We do not know each other. We have spoken together only three or four times. Yet you will be in my mind. I want to make a promise." "Yes?" They had paused in their little stroll, almost beside the newly filled grave trench. Lanark was frowning, Enid Mandifer nervous and expectant. "This war," he said weightily, "is going to last much longer than people thought at first. We--the Union--have done pretty well in the West here, but Lee is making fools of our generals back East. We may have to fight for years, and even then we may not win." "I hope, Mr.--I mean, Lieutenant Lanark," stammered the girl, "I hope that you will live safely through it." "I hope so, too. And if I am spared, if I am alive and well when peace comes, I swear that I shall return to this place. I shall make sure that you, too, are alive and well." He finished, very certain that he could not have used stiffer, more stupid words; but Enid Mandifer smiled now, radiantly and gratefully. "I shall pray for you, Lieutenant Lanark. Now, your men are ready to leave. Go, and I shall watch." "No," he demurred. "Go yourself, get away from this dreadful place." She bowed her head in assent, and walked quickly away. At some distance she paused, turned, and waved her hand above her head. Lanark took off his broad, black hat and waved in answer. Then he faced about, strode smartly back into the yard beside the charred ruins. Mounting his bay gelding, he gave the order to depart. _6. Return_